The book gives an excellent view into some good and not so good attempts at modern eccelsiastical architecture -- with all the frankness Roulin exhibits in his book on vestments.
It was through this book that I came into contact with Engelbrektskyrkan (Engelbrekts church) in Stockholm, Sweden which was designed by the architect, L.I. Wahlman and built in the 1920's. While the church is not a Catholic church (but in fact, a Swedish Lutheran church) it nonetheless provides a good stylistic exemplar for the purposes of the other modern series.
Roulin describes the church as "modern style; delicate and strong; a work of intelligence and love" and as a church of "fine proportions". I would concur. It is an admirable church interiorly and exteriorly.
First a view of the exterior, which shows all the presence a church should:
Interiorly, the church uses substantive materials for its construction, and while elliptical arches are not my own personal favourite, they work well in this church.
A view toward the sanctuary:
And one toward the narthex:
The ceiling is also worth a look:
The church is filled with various sculptural details, but what is particularly noteworthy, in my estimation, are the frescoes painted by Swedish artist, Olle Hjortzberg (1872-1959).
The sanctuary fresco; also see this image.
The Baptistery fresco. Take note also of the brick work.
The Baptistery, another look
A final look at the baptistery mural
In fact, from seeing these works by Hjortzberg, I have come across other works by him in a similar vein, which show themselves worthwhile as a consideration on their own as part of a future installment in the Other Modern series.
At any rate, I was very glad to have run into this particular church. One can clearly imagine it within a Catholic context, as something which both carries an element of modernity to it, while also boasting of a continuity with a traditional architectural and artistic vocabulary.
Photos (except the first) by Stefan Therstam (Organist of the Engelbrekts church)
